Aerobic bacterial isolates in horses in a university hospital, 1986-1988.
Abstract: Bacterial isolations were reviewed from equine trachea, guttural pouch, uterus, wounds, abscesses, blood, synovial fluid, and abdominal fluid submitted to the Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal for aerobic bacterial culture from 1986 to 1988. Of the 733 samples submitted, 324 (44%) were positive for bacterial growth, and 233 antimicrobial sensitivity tests were performed. Seventy-six percent of all positive samples yielded one bacterial species and two were isolated from 22% of positive samples. Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Escherichia coli, and Actinobacillus spp. were isolated from 39%, 18%, and 15% of the samples, respectively.Bacterial growth was most common from guttural pouches, wounds and abscesses, and transtracheal washes (TTW), but was less common from uterus, blood, abdominal fluid, and synovial fluids. Streptococcus zooepidemicus was the most common bacterium recovered from guttural pouches, TTW, uterus, and wounds and abscesses. Escherichia coli predominated in abdominal fluids, blood, and synovia. Bacterial sensitivities to common antimicrobials are presented.
Publication Date: 1991-05-01 PubMed ID: 17423784PubMed Central: PMC1481495
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study conducted at the University of Montreal’s School of Veterinary Medicine focused on the analysis of bacterial cultures found in different body parts of horses from 1986 to 1988, with the aim of identifying prevalent species and their sensitivity to common antimicrobials.
Methodology and Sample Analysis
- The research focused on analyzing bacterial cultures from different areas of horse bodies such as the trachea, guttural pouch, uterus, different types of wounds, abscesses, blood, synovial fluid, and abdominal fluid.
- These samples were collected and presented to the Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal for aerobic bacterial culture tests.
- From the total of 733 samples collected, 324 (44%) were positive for bacterial growth, indicating a substantial presence of bacteria amongst these horses.
- Of these positive samples, 76% yielded only one bacterial species, whereas 22% showed the presence of two bacterial species.
Bacterial Species Isolated
- The most common bacterial species that were isolated from these samples were Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Escherichia coli, and Actinobacillus spp., appearing in 39%, 18%, and 15% of samples, respectively.
- Streptococcus zooepidemicus was most commonly recovered from guttural pouches, transtracheal washes (TTW), the uterus, and wounds and abscesses.
- On the other hand, Escherichia coli was found to be predominant in the abdominal fluids, blood, and synovia (the fluid that lubricates the joints).
Bacterial Growth and Antimicrobial Sensitivity
- Bacterial growth was most frequently detected in the guttural pouches (throat), wounds and abscesses, and the TTWs, while it was less common in the uterus, blood, abdominal fluid, and synovial fluids.
- To help assess potential treatments for these bacterial infections, sensitivity tests to different antimicrobials were conducted for 233 of the positive samples.
- The results of these tests could help in providing better treatment options for horses with bacterial infections in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Lavoie JP, Couture L, Higgins R, Laverty S.
(1991).
Aerobic bacterial isolates in horses in a university hospital, 1986-1988.
Can Vet J, 32(5), 292-294.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
References
This article includes 14 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Symoens A, Gauthier ML, Paillette L, Allano M, Lavoie JP, Leclère M. Evolution of in vitro antimicrobial resistance at an equine hospital over 4 decades. Can Vet J 2025 Aug;66(8):903-910.
- Tyrnenopoulou P, Fthenakis GC. Clinical Aspects of Bacterial Distribution and Antibiotic Resistance in the Reproductive System of Equids. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023 Mar 28;12(4).
- Malo A, Cluzel C, Labrecque O, Beauchamp G, Lavoie JP, Leclere M. Evolution of in vitro antimicrobial resistance in an equine hospital over 3 decades. Can Vet J 2016 Jul;57(7):747-51.
- Bauquier JR, Boston RC, Sweeney RW, Wilkins PA, Nolen-Walston RD. Plasma Peak and Trough Gentamicin Concentrations in Hospitalized Horses Receiving Intravenously Administered Gentamicin. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Nov-Dec;29(6):1660-6.
- Berghaus LJ, Giguère S, Guldbech K, Warner E, Ugorji U, Berghaus RD. Comparison of Etest, disk diffusion, and broth macrodilution for in vitro susceptibility testing of Rhodococcus equi. J Clin Microbiol 2015 Jan;53(1):314-8.
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